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4 min readI DIDN'T THINK I'd still be writing about winter jackets as we head into March, but here we are. If my fellow East Coasters thought we were out of the woods already, well, we all thought wrong. There's still plenty of winter weather left, and at this point, we're not sure it'll ever end.
There is some hope, though; despite the recent blizzard conditions, temperatures seem to be at least trending upward. As such, it's important to have a winter jacket in your arsenal that doesn't require the bulk of a winter parka made for sub-freezing temperatures.
I test out all sorts of jackets across all seasons. Style editor Joseph Cheatham recommended a lightweight insulated winter jacket that's perfect for the changing weather: the Mack Weldon Warmknit Air Hooded Jacket. A lightweight puffer was the perfect addition to my repertoire, but I had some doubts. The jacket looked a little lighter than I would have wanted, but Cheatham assured me it would get the job done. This wasn't your typical winter weather, though, but I decided to roll the dice anyway. And I'd soon be glad I did.
First Impressions of the Warmknit Air Hooded Jacket
Pros
- Lightweight construction
- True-to-size, sleek fit
- Wind and water-resistant
- Reasonable pricetag
Cons
- Only comes in two colors
The jacket was fairly reasonable for a winter puffer at just over $250. It felt impossibly light out of the packaging; I was expecting a lightweight jacket, but this was next-level. I had to check the listing again to make sure I received the right one, and sure enough, there was no mix-up.
Truth be told, it felt like a spring jacket at first. I figured, worst-case, I can hold off on wearing it until late March or early April. It felt like it was made for temperatures in the high 50s. With a rare week of weather in the high 30s to mid-40s, I still put it to test the test. A day with a high of 45 smack dab in the middle of the workweek was the perfect opportunity. This felt like a safe play, and if it was too cold, at least I'd have my car's heat and a short walk to the office. It's cutting season, anyway.
Testing the Jacket
Of course, I failed to realize the keyword from that day's forecast was "high." When I left for work, it was 34 degrees out. It was too late, though—I was already committed.
The jacket runs true to size, and there isn't a lot of extra room to work with. It's meant to be a sleek, sporty, casual coat worn over a single layer (or two) of clothing. You can always size up, but that ruins the nature of this puffer; it's meant to keep you warm without added bulk.
Considering its form fit, I didn't wear anything particularly bulky underneath, either—just a simple button-up. When I stepped outside in the 30-degree weather, to say I was surprised was an understatement. My upper body was sufficiently warm, despite the relative dearth of my usual layers. This could be attributed to the Warmknit Air's proprietary Thinsulate fill, a type of synthetic insulation consisting of ultra-fine fibers, which effectively eliminates the heft typical of a standard down jacket. We were off to a good start, but I had only walked from my apartment to my car, and my walk from the parking garage to the office is even shorter.
I was impressed and decided to take a leisurely stroll at lunch. I decided to go a little early, before it seriously warmed up, and it was around 40 degrees out. I walked a couple of blocks in the near-freezing temperatures, and I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. I missed the mid-thigh cut of a parka, it wasn't uncomfortably cold. The lightweight, waist-cut jacket was also a lot easier to get around in, and the sleek nature of the jacket was a nice departure from my heavy-duty outerwear.
The Warmknit's dual snap button and two-way zipper closure made a marked difference in heat retention. Taking advantage of both closures was a must, and wearing the jacket open was not really an option. This had its advantages; I later wore the Warmknit Air to the mall, and it didn't make me feel hot indoors.
Final Thoughts
Mack Weldon's Warmknit Air exceeded my expectations, and I was truly impressed at its ability to keep me warm in what was essentially freezing temperatures without heavy layering. I have a lot of different pieces of outerwear for specific use cases—waxed jackets, camel coats, parkas—and this was a bit of a departure from my usual repertoire. This winter jacket, though, is possibly the most versatile one I own, and I can confidently wear it into the spring without having to buy a new one. If you're looking for something to get you through the end of winter and far beyond, this is a fantastic transitional jacket at a very reasonable price, all things considered.
Buy the Mack Weldon WarmKnit Air Hooded Jacket
Other Lightweight Winter Jackets We Recommend
Alpha Industries MA-1 Bomber Flight Jacket
Columbia Delta Ridge II Down Jacket
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Tim Kohut is the Deals and Trends Editor for Popular Mechanics, Men’s Health, Best Products, and Runner's World. He has extensive product review and gear coverage expertise, particularly in tech, home, auto, and health. Tim was previously the Deputy Commerce Editor of The Drive and a Commerce Editor at BGR. He’s also overseen gear coverage and strategy at Popular Science, Bob Vila, Outdoor Life, and Field and Stream. He has a strong affinity for cats, Batman, and early 90’s Nicolas Cage films, in that order.
